With the weather starting to cool, the time to make holiday plans is quickly approaching. But for patients who feel less than confident in their appearance, the idea of seeing family and friends for the first time in months can be overwhelming. Double chins, in particular, are a common condition that can quickly undermine the self-confidence of many individuals and have few solutions outside plastic surgery. Luckily, solutions like submental liposuction give these individuals the opportunity to achieve a sleeker, more youthful look without having to undergo extensive treatment.
Seeing Double Chins? You’re Not Alone
Submental fat, better known as a double chin, is an increasingly common cosmetic condition among men and women of all ages. While many associate the development of extra tissue below the lower jaw with aging, the truth is that even individuals in their 20s and 30s can develop a double chin.
Given the high prevalence of submental fat among American adults, it’s no small wonder why patients are looking for ways to safely and effectively remove this excess tissue from their faces. One especially effective procedure is submental liposuction, a form of plastic surgery the gently (and permanently) removes excess fat deposits from below the jawbone to add definition to the face. Submental liposuction not only decreases bulk under the chin, it also helps to give a more sculpted jawline.
Why Submental Liposuction?
Also known as microliposculpture, submental liposuction applies the concept of liposuction to a smaller target area. This provides patients with several key benefits compared to other alternatives:
Less Invasive Treatments
As submental liposuction requires mini cannulas to remove excess adipose tissue, the treatment is much less invasive than the other surgical alternatives. During our patients’ consultation appointments, Dr. Diehl takes the time to study the lower half of the face and neck. She usually uses one small incision to access the entire area.
Less invasive treatment also means this solution to double chins has a much shorter recovery time than traditional surgery. There is really very little downtime with this procedure.
Effective for All Patients
While microliposculpture is still considered a form of cosmetic surgery, the minimally invasive nature of this treatment makes it ideal for almost every patient. Submental liposuction is highly recommended for individuals who are tired of seeing an extra bump below their chin as well as those missing distinction along the jaw. For individuals with excess thin or inelastic/lax skin tissue or platysmal banding along the neck, Dr. Diehl may recommend another procedure to help tighten the neck. However, even in these patients this procedure can oftentimes create an impact and improvement in the area.
Short Timeline
Compared to other surgical options like face or necklifts that are long general anesthesia procedures, microliposculpture can be completed in just 30-45 minutes under local anesthesia. We also have Pro-Nox (self-administered nitrous oxide) available if desired.
In recovery, the use of only one incision and the Smart Lipo laser (which decreases bruising and improves tightening) leads to a shorter healing time and faster noticeable results. Whereas necklifts require about one week of downtime immediately following treatment plus 10 to 14 days of swelling, submental liposuction patients are usually able to return to work within 1-2 days. Occasionally patients will have some bruising and the swelling gradually decreases over the first month, although results are already starting to show at one week in most patients. Garments do need to be used to obtain the optimal results, but 24 hours/day only the first few days, after that the garment can be worn whenever you are at home. This helps achieve the best result while not being self-conscious when out and about.
Ready for Microliposculpture? Here’s What to Expect
As with other cosmetic procedures performed at Dr. Diehl’s Raleigh practice, your consultation will include an in-depth discussion about your condition as well as your medical health. From there, we’ll determine the details of your appointment, including anesthesia preference. For some individuals, this includes developing a larger treatment plan that combines submental liposuction with other facial restoration procedures.
Following your surgery, we encourage patients to take it easy and spend a few days recovering at home and wear the comfortable compression garment. You can expect some mild soreness or tenderness in the coming days as you heal. However, most outward swelling and discomfort usually dissipate within a week or two.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Is your double chin slowly chipping away at your self-esteem? Consider the advantages that submental liposuction can have on your confidence, all without lengthy surgery or recovery time. To learn more about this quick and effective solution, call Diehl Plastic Surgery today and schedule your consultation with our Raleigh plastic surgeon.
